Five horses in Barn 29 at Saratoga Harness Track, in Saratoga Springs, New York, have shown signs of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), including fever, mild coughing, and mild nasal discharge. On Jan. 28, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM) and New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) officials received laboratory test results on one of the horses, which indicated an active EHV-1 infection. None of the horses are exhibiting neurologic clinical signs.

Officials quarantined Barn 29 on Jan. 29 and will monitor for fever and other signs of illness for 21 days after the last signs of EHV-1 infection. Quarantined horses will not be allowed to leave the facility during that period. Exposed horses in Barn 29 that are well enough to train may do so when all other horses have left the track area at the end of each day.

EHV 101

Herpesvirus is highly contagious among horses and can cause a variety of ailments in equids, including rhinopneumonitis (a respiratory disease usually found in young horses), abortion in broodmares, and equine herpesvirus myeloencephalitis (EHM, the neurologic form).

In many horses, the first or only sign of EHV-1 infection is fever, which can go undetected. In addition to fever, other common signs of EHV-1 infection in young horses include cough, decreased appetite, depression, and a nasal discharge. Pregnant mares typically show no signs of infection before they abort, and abortions usually occur late in gestation (around eight months) but can be earlier. Abortions can occur anywhere from two weeks to several months following infection with EHV-1